Winter Turf Development on Dormant Bermudagrass as Influenced by Summer Cultivation and Winter N Fertilization1

R. E. Schmidt and

J. F. Shoulders2

Abstract

Abstract

Overseeded winter turf on dormant bermudagrass is an important practice in providing live turf for a large portion of the year. It has been observed that as vigorous bermudagrass becomes older satisfactory winter turf is more difficult to establish and maintain. Previous research has shown that cultivation of bermudagrass immediately prior to overseeding cool season turfgrasses has improved winter turf. However, no work has been reported showing the effects of bermudagrass summer cultivation on overseeded winter turf quality. This investigation was initiated to study the relationship of thatch removal in the summer on winter turf quality.

Thatch was removed from a 5-year-old putting green with a vertical mower in early, middle, and late summer and soil top dressing was applied after each aeration. N fertilizer was applied in summer, fall, and winter; P and K were maintained at high levels and the pH at 6.5. Ryegrass and red rescue were overseeded after turf mowing in October. The percent ground cover was measured in December, March, May, and June.

The best transition from cool season turf to bermudagrass occurred when the cool season grass persisted into the summer. The increased Poa annua infestation caused by early cultivation was reduced by more frequent cultivation.

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